The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-03-17
A LOST OPPORTUNITY
BY MRS. BARRETT.

comcllness or grace, John liollaway sat
upon the meadow gate, looking of into
the distance. He was whispering softly,
yet he seemed to be in deep reveric,
for his great, tender eyes had far-away
expression in their brown depths as he
gazed out over the sunlit meadows
where the blood-red clover and the
golden buttercups swayed under the
soft, carcssing breeze. Suddenly an
imperious voice broke the silence:
"Mr. Hollaway, please let mo take
down the bars. Pm in hurry, and
came the shortest way"
The young man started; he had not
heard her approach, and there beside
him stood the very object of his
thoughts.
All, clover blooms and buttercups,
paled were your charms nowl A little,
graceful figure in the daintiest of cam
brio dresses, and underneath the wide
hat a sweet, girlish face with vclvcty,
peach-tintcd checks, and eyes as blue as
freshly gathered violcts. Such was Lily
Lawrence, the prettiest girl-so the pop
ular verdict ran-in all tho country
round. A flush rose to Johns sun
Drowned face as he quickly rose and
began to take down the bars.
"Out for walk, Miss Lily7"
eyes" very briefly.
$50 you are fond of quiet strollsi ]
am, too"
Lily drew herself up, and looked at
the presumptuous speaker.
"Rcaly, Mr.. Hollaway, don't sec
what it is to you--"
Then she stopped. She did not mean
to be rude, but truly, she thought to
herself, it was high time she should
show this young man that his openly
expressed admiration was exceedingly
distasteful to her. 1t had been going
on for some time, and everyone, even
Lily herself, had come to see that the
sun rose and set for John Hollaway
where she was.
''Hc must be intensely stupid not tc
know how utterly indifferent l am &c
him." she thought.
But John was not stupid. He under
stood the unfinished sentences, and as he
drew back without another word to le
her pass, Lily saw that he did, and d.
shame faced, compuuctious look stole
into her eyes. For, from the richest t.
the poorest everyone acknowledged
John Hollaway's noble sterling charac
ter.
Lily walked slowly along the road
half determined to turn back and apollo
gize for her rudcness, until turr
brought her face to face with someone
whose handsome eyes met her own with
such glad welcome that all othc
thoughts were for the time driven com
pletely away.
1t was Richard Blake, the most ad-
mired and courted young man in the
village.
"Ah, good afternoon, Miss Lawren CO
was hoping l would meet you."
Aud the wavy black locks were barred
to the breeze as Richard courteously
lifted his hat and wake on beside her.
Whas contrast to John Hollaway
And the contrast was great in man,
other ways than Lily thought. But th'
girl was but young to read character,
and that Richard Blake was very hand
some and very elegant none could deny
a lover of whom anyone might be justl,
proud.
When Lily's home was reached, ant
with another graceful bow Richard hat
left her, she did not go directly into III
house, but fingered awhile among thu
flowers that Fl led their little garden
Her thoughts were very busy. Sh,
thought that she had behaved yer,
unkind to her old friend, and he
memory went back to the first time sh
had met him. 1t was at picnic, ant
she had fallen and sprained her ankle
She remembered how the great fellow
SO much stronger than his mates, ha,
persisted in carrying her all the lon
distance back to her home. Since the
he had shown In hundred ways wha
she was to him, and knowing his nobl
nature, perhaps her heart would hav
gone out to him before this if Richar
Bake had not come back from college
But he had, and Lily fancied his gay
debonair manners, and his entertainin
conversation, and like many anotht
young girl, had begun to take for tru'
heart deep love that liking which we a
have for things pleasant to the sight.
And SO she shook off her reproachfr
feelings, and went into the house.
"Why, mother, dear, what is the ma
teri Crying, and ! out enjoying my
self Tell me, what is it, dcari Let N
share your trouble"
Mrs. Lawrence lifted face, smilin
through her tears.
'Yes, crying, Lily darling, but nc
from grief. Sit down here beside me
and let me show you what load hs
been lifted from my mind this morning
Lily. did not tell you, but some tim
ago Mr.. Burton, the lawyer. came I
! mo AMI informed me that the holder q